by DeepSeek AI · founded 2023 · updated Jul 2026
DeepSeek builds high-performing open-weight models that rival closed frontier labs on reasoning and coding while costing dramatically less to run. The open licenses make it a favorite for teams that want frontier quality they can self-host or fine-tune.
Fixed weights, sources attached, the formula
Every TIP Score is backed by verifiable claims. Data is a curated snapshot, always confirm current terms with the vendor.
| Claim | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Open-weight releases matched leading models on reasoning benchmarks at far lower cost | Public leaderboards & DeepSeek releases | Feb 2026 |
| Weights distributed under permissive licenses for self-hosting | DeepSeek model cards | Dec 2025 |
| API priced well below comparable closed models | DeepSeek pricing page | Mar 2026 |
Moonshot AI's K2 line — a trillion-parameter mixture-of-experts with 256K context and open weights — is rattling the coding-model market: K2.7-Code leads Opus 4.8 on MCP-Mark Verified (81.1 vs 76.4) while the API prices from $0.60 per 1M tokens. A strong option for cost-sensitive and self-hosted agentic coding, with data-residency caveats for regulated buyers.
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